Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-04-30


THAT TINE HAS wROUGHT-TIPPNG IN NEW YoRK.
Special correspoAdsnos Of TIE EVENING star.
NEW YORK, April %.
One Of the most notable landmarks In New York
city is no more It is Pfaff's place. II the reader
doesn't know Plat It IS evidence that he hasn't
been Bohemian or friend Of Bohemians More
than thirty-two years ago Pfan was waiter in
Basic, Switzerland. Next to France, Switzerland
Is noted for its walters He came to America and
thought he had realized the ambition OF his ule
wnen ne opened restaurant Of his own under the
Old Stevens House. But fortune didn't smile on
him there, and he removed to a place on Broad
way, above Amtty street. One night an ordinary
looking man called in at Pfafrs place after very
arduous late dinner and called for cofIee. He had
been drinking cognac, and to one who has crucined
MS appetite with cognac the best coffee tastes in
spid The guest cursed the coffee and declared
That he would never again visit Pfans but he did,
and the next day, when he QuafYed the TeutOns
c0nee 1t addressed itself 80 strongly to his palled
palate that he was delighted. The individual was
flz James OBrien, entitled King OF the BOhe-
MADE FAMOUS BY PIrzJAMEs o'BRIEN.
In those gay days the happy-go-lucky Bohemi-
ans were great factor in the journalistic and
literary world OF New York. Mr.. O'Br1en went to
the Office and wrote very Interesting article
about Pfatrs coffee and Pfans place. Other
B0hemianS, and people who were not BohemianS,
read the article and dropped into Pfaffs place TO
sample MS coffee. The honest German suddenly
found n himself famous 1t became the fashion to
other culinary triumphS. He was wise enough to
appreciate his guests and advertisers. He set
known as the Round Table Among the merry
men who sat at this circular board were Fitz-
James Jam UBrien Henry Glapp the prince Of the
George Arnold, Frank Wood, Charles Dawson,
Shaniey Cahill. Frank Bellew and others Many
a nlght they kept poor Pfan up until the morning
from 647 to $50 Broadway, but the crowd followed
him. French refugees and artists reinforced the
literary lights who frequented his famous place.
one night the party would be flush and again 1t
away hungry; Bierstadt the artist, Martin,
genial host and his sou-soothlng coffee were al
ways welcome. He never forgot that he owed his
success sue to the advertising that newspaper men
terie of individuals, to whom time and money were
or no consequence.
THE CHANGES OF TINE.
Time, with its relentless changes and cruel
death, crept among them. He claimed the bright
est OF the company. The Bohemians made faint
effort to maintain the Old institutions which they
had enjoyed In the careless days Of the past. At
one OF their dinners an impromptu poet OF their
number composed this rhyme:
Here's to Member Pfafi
Come, boys let's quaf.
Wen sing tonight
In rapt delight
Each gay and happy fellow
The generous year is growing old
AnG here within this cheerful fold
Wen give warm libation.
Fill up the goblet again,
ana sing q love song refrain
10 ualds Ia every station.
Why grumble at our earthly LOTT
" lille here we know no better spot
In winch to strive with fate.
Bright hopes like bubbles fade away,
And human purposes decay,
While death stands at the gate.
Death stood at the gate for many gay fellows
Who joined in that chorus. The days OF the Bo-
hemia1 were numbered. Pfaff removed to No 9
oath street, opposite the Fifth Avenue hotel, but
the Old cOterie OF wits and writer's who had made
him famous were no more.
UNDER THE HAMMER.
On Monday Pfa1s place went under the hammer.
visited the veteran restauranter, who came In,
threw down his hat with an air of despair greeted
me with fervor, and began to talk about the gay
Gays OF the past. Tears stood in his eyes as he
called up the memory of the wits and writer's
who used to thrust their feet under his generous
table.
Pfan Is a StOcky man, with full gray beard.
trimmed IN the Prince OF Wales style, and kindly,
the English language. He said that he was sud-
denly approached a few days ago by Mrs. Benson.
Who owns the place that he rents. She demanded
an advance OF 800 per year on his rent making 1T
expense, and hence his place Will be sold at auc-
ton. BE says that Ed Stokes is anxious to secure
1t as an annex to the Hoffman House. PfaH VIII
endeavor 10 secure cheaper quarters farther up
expect to call about him that same happy-1o-lucky
crowd who used to congregate at his board
AMOS j. CUMMINGS,